Abstract: The present invention related to an ultrasound imaging system win which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated in real-time. The invention further relates to flexible printed circuit boards in the probe head. The invention furthermore related to the use of coded or spread spectrum signaling in ultrasound imagining systems. Matched filters based on pulse compression using Golay code pairs improve the signal-to-noise ratio thus enabling third harmonic imaging with suppressed sidelobes. The system is suitable for 3D full volume cardiac imaging.

Abstract: A method of operating a device (1) for treatment of a tissue (6) of a living being and such a device (1) including a transducer (2) comprising at least two subtransducers (2?, 2?), each for emitting a sub-beam (8?) of ultrasound waves, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound waves, for irradiating the tissue (6). Each of the sub-beams (8?) is focused on or focusable onto a focal point (F). In order to reduce skin burns, the intersection Area (Asi) of a skin surface (7) for each sub-beam (8?) is evaluated and a power (Psi) and/or a duration (tsi) of the irradiation, for every sub-transducer (2?, 2?), is determined as a rate of the total power (Ptotal) or duration (ttotal) depending from the evaluated intersection area (Asi).

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable device has one or more adjustable settings with a setting device configured to selectively change between the one or more adjustable settings. An indicator, having an ultrasound reflection enhancement, indicates each particular setting of the one or more adjustable settings.

Abstract: A method of in vivo monitoring the condition of an internal body repair in which an imageable, non-absorbable repair device having non-absorbable, particulate imaging material substantially uniformly dispersed therein has been surgically inserted, including: in vivo sensing of dimensional deformation of or imaging material concentration changes in said repair device during the post-surgical healing process; comparing the sensed values with a previously developed correlation between said sensed values and the values at which failure occurs of comparable repair devices; wherein said sensed values relative to the repair device's failure values, considered in conjunction with the anticipated time for complete healing of said repair, provides information as to the condition of the repair.

Abstract: In viscoelastic imaging with ultrasound, the shear wave speed or other viscoelastic parameter is measured by tracking at the ARFI focal or other high-intensity location relative to the ARFI transmission. Rather than tracking the shear wave, the tissue response to ARFI is measured. A profile of displacements over time or a spectrum thereof is measured at the location. By finding a scale of the profile resulting in sufficient correlation with a calibration profile, the shear wave speed or other viscoelastic parameter may be estimated.

Abstract: A method of cataract surgery in an eye of a patient includes identifying a feature selected from the group consisting of an axis, a meridian, and a structure of an eye by corneal topography and forming fiducial mark incisions with a laser beam along the axis, meridian or structure in the cornea outside the optical zone of the eye. A laser cataract surgery system a laser source, a topography measurement system, an integrated optical subsystem, and a processor in operable communication with the laser source, corneal topography subsystem and the integrated optical system. The processor includes a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising instructions to determine one of an axis, meridian and structure of an eye of the patient based on the measurements received from topography measurement system, and direct the treatment beam so as to incise radial fiducial mark incisions.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: An ablation system including an image database storing a plurality of computed tomography (CT) images of a luminal network and a navigation system enabling, in combination with an endoscope and the CT images, navigation of a locatable guide and an extended working channel to a point of interest. The system further includes one or more fiducial markers, placed in proximity to the point of interest and a percutaneous microwave ablation device for applying energy to the point of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution measuring apparatus for measuring a temperature distribution within an object caused by heating the object. A temperature distribution measuring unit (13, 71) measures the temperature distribution in a measurement region within the object, while the object is heated, and a temperature measurement control unit (22) controls the temperature distribution measuring unit such that the measurement region is modified depending on the measured temperature distribution, in order to measure different temperature distributions in different measurement regions.

Abstract: A method of using PET imaging includes using PET images obtained using a radiotracer for the determination of the progressive course of regional brain PET activities for a progressive neurodegenerative disease (e.g., MCI, AD, and CTE). The method may be used for the automatic staging of neurodegenerative disease for a particular patient/subject based on regional intensity and spatial patterns of the brain signals measured by PET imaging. The method may also be used to diagnose or classify the disease of a patient among multiple possibilities based on PET imaging profiles (e.g., for separating or distinguishing CTE from AD).

Abstract: A medical data processing method of determining a spatial relationship between a marker device (1, 1?, 1?, 20) and a resection plane (50, 120) associated with an anatomical structure (5, 12) of a patient's body, the marker device (1, 1?, 1?, 20) being video-detectable by an imaging unit (6), the method being constituted to be executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: a) acquiring imaging unit position data describing a predetermined spatial relationship between the imaging unit (6) and the resection plane; b) acquiring marker device position data describing a spatial relationship between the marker device (1, 1?, 1?, 20) and the imaging unit (6) based on imaging the marker device (1, 1?, 1?, 20) with the imaging unit (6) in order to generate an orientation-dependent image appearance of the marker device (1, 1?, 1?, 20); c) determining, based on the imaging unit position data acquired in step a) and the marker device position data acquired in step b) and based on the orientation-dependent imag

Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

Abstract: Presented are embodiments of an apparatus and methodology for non-invasive, continuous or semi-continuous monitoring of human blood pressure by photoplethysmography (PPG) based sensor system.

Abstract: Improved devices, systems, and methods treatment of patients can be used to help mitigate injury to the kidneys by applying cyclical mechanical pressure energy at low intensities. The energy often be selectively directed from non-invasive transducers disposed outside the patients. The energy will typically comprise low frequency ultrasound energy, shock wave energy, or the like, and may induce the generation and/or release of nitric oxide, thereby enhancing perfusion and ameliorating tissue damage. Superimposed micro and macro duty cycles may help avoid thermal and other injury to tissues of the patient during treatment. Bilateral treatments are facilitated by a support structure that orients at least one transducer toward each kidney.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus including: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data for an object including a first region and a second region used to determine a shape of the first region; a controller configured to extract the second region of the object from the ultrasound data, set at least one guide line corresponding to the first region, and measure the at least one guide line corresponding to the first region; and a display configured to display measurement information regarding the at least one guide line.

Abstract: A device for magnetizing a tissue-penetrating medical device is disclosed including a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a magnetic field generator contained within the distal portion of the housing and a tissue penetrating subassembly including a hub and a tissue penetrating medical device having a proximal end and a distal end. The hub is detachably connected to the distal portion of the housing and the proximal end of tissue penetrating medical device extends proximally from the hub such that the proximal end of the tissue penetrating medical device is exposed to the magnetic field to magnetize the distal end of the tissue penetrating medical device. Methods of magnetizing tissue-penetrating medical devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly (44) is configured to be associated with a table (20) supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters (57A) that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters (57A) are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality. A plurality of transmitters is arranged in a first layer of the assembly. Each transmitter (57A) comprises an elongate conductive element, such as a wire, arranged in a spiral form, such as a coil.

Abstract: A medical imaging device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the medical imaging device includes an imaging area; a patient positioning device including a positioning table and a transfer plate for positioning a patient in a patient positioning area; a frame element for disposing at least one component relative to the imaging area and/or the patient positioning device, wherein the frame element has a first side arm, a second side arm and an apex area disposed between the first side arm and the second side arm; and a first mounting device and a second mounting device for retaining the frame element. The apex area is disposed above the transfer plate in respect of a vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an instrument including an elongated, flexible body and a shape sensor including an optical fiber extending at least partially along the elongated, flexible body. The apparatus also includes a radiopaque material incorporated with the optical fiber along an entire length of the optical fiber. The radiopaque material is incorporated such that the optical fiber is radiographically distinguishable from a remainder of the elongated, flexible body.